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Griffin’s Double-Double Leads Clippers Past Bulls

Blake Griffin #32 of the Los Angeles Clippers takes the ball to the basket past Carlos Boozer #5 of the Chicago Bulls on January 24, 2014 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

CHICAGO (AP) — Blake Griffin had 26 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a 112-95 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Friday night.

Jamal Crawford added 19 points for the Clippers, who had six players score in double figures and shot 54 percent from the field — including 13 for 21 on 3-pointers. DeAndre Jordan added 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Boozer, back from a one-game absence due to a sore left calf, scored 16 points in the first quarter. Taj Gibson added 18 points off the bench, Mike Dunleavy had 17 and Joakim Noah 12 as the Bulls shot 43 percent from the field and 6 for 19 from 3-point range.

The Bulls were without Kirk Hinrich, who missed his second consecutive game with a strained right hamstring.

NOTES: Clippers coach Doc Rivers said the Bulls shouldn’t let coach Tom Thibodeau get away. Thibodeau was on Rivers’ coaching staff from 2007-10 with the Boston Celtics. “I think it would be nuts not to have him here,” Rivers said. “He’s the best coach, one of the best coaches, in the league, so if you have that, that’s an asset. And I don’t think any right-minded organization would allow that asset to leave. Because with all this adversity they’ve had with injuries, if you allow that one to leave, things will fall apart — and that would be pretty much a guarantee.” Thibodeau declined to address rumors about his future. … Hinrich will possibly miss the Bulls’ trip to Charlotte on Saturday as he continues to receive treatment, Thibodeau said. … Thibodeau said it would be a great experience for Rose to play for Team USA if he is healthy. Rose was one of 28 players named to the 2014-16 national team pool. The FIBA Basketball World Cup will be Aug. 30-Sept. 14 in Spain. Rose is out for the NBA season after undergoing knee surgery on Nov. 25. … Thibodeau picked up a technical foul with the Bulls trailing 86-74 with 2:10 left in the third quarter.